Glenview Community Church Fundraiser for Onward House
Join Chapter 3 of the Glenview Community Church Women's Association for "The Flower Hours", a fundraising event for Onward Neighborhood House. The event is sponsored by Sawbridge Studios and Prufrock Florists.
Sawbridge Studios
1015 Tower Court, Winnetka - (847) 441-2441
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 3:00 to 6:00 pm
Sam McGee, co-owner of Prufrock and renowed floral demonstrator, will teach the how-to's and secrets of professional flower arranging. Arrangements will be created in hand blown glass vases by celebrated artist, Simon Pearce of Vermont. The proceeds from each $10.00 ticket, and 15% of the event's purchases will be donated directly to Onward House.
Reservations required, space is limited. Contact Gemma Petrie at gpetrie@onwardhouse.org or (312) 666-6726 to register.
Onward House Honored at Lumity Leadership Dinner
Onward House was recently honored at the 2010 Lumity Dinner along with three other finalists for the Lumity 2010 Nonprofit Technology Leadership Award. The award recognizes innovative uses of technology in the nonprofit sector for projects that exemplify ways in which the creative application of technology produces measurable, sustainable impact in the community.
Onward House was recognized for the Client Intake Overhaul Project for the Food Pantry, which systematically changed the way we process and assist our growing number of food pantry clients. This overhaul was made possible by a grant from the Greater Chicago Food Depository and has allowed us to efficiently address issues of poverty and hunger by using computer technology, new procedural methods and innovative storage solutions.
The honorable Richard M. Daley received the Public Service Technology Leadership Award and the Erie Family Health Center took top honors in the Nonprofit Technology Leadership Award category for their Electronic Health Records System. As a runner-up, Onward House received a check for $1,250 in support of programs from Accenture and a one year membership to Lumity. Congratulations to the Erie Family Health Center, Threshholds and the Corporation for Supportive Housing!
Update: Enjoy Lumity's photos from the event and watch the video messages from all four nonprofits below:
4th Annual Gala a Great Success!
Thank you to everyone who came out to our fourth annual "A Night of Bright Futures" gala! The event was a huge sucess and the Auxiliary Board raised over $52,000 for Onward House programs! Thank you to Amy Freeze, Fox's Chief Meteorologist for hosting the event (pictured above) and to PJ Acosta and Studio AG for designing the event.
We would also like to thank our generous sponsors and supporters. We are truly grateful for you! To view the event program, including a full listing of everyone who made the event possible, please click here. Check out more photos from the event below. More photos coming soon!
Warm Wishes
Onward House was recently the lucky recipient of 40 handmade blankets donated by Warm Wishes. A generous and skilled donor hand crafted cozy blankets for the children enrolled in our Early Childhood Program to use during nap time. Founder Bob Gorski and his daughter visited our West Town site to personally drop off the blankets along with Chicago's WCIU-TV. The segment below from the You and Me morning show aired on February 18, 2010.
Thanks to Warm Wishes and WCIU for an exciting donation delivery! The children love their new blankets.
The Onward House 2010 Gala!
The annual Onward House gala will be held February 20, 2010 from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm at Gallery 1028 on Chicago's Goose Island. Please join the Onward House Auxiliary Board and Fox's Chief Meteorologist, Amy Freeze, for a fun-filled evening of food, drinks, dancing, raffles, and live and silent auctions. Tickets can be purchased through Event Brite.
Holidays at Onward House
The holiday season is here! Onward House is grateful to our supporters who help to make the holidays bright for the families we serve. Read on to learn about our upcoming holiday events and how you can be involved!
This is the 35th year that Glenbrook South High School has donated food to the Onward House Food Pantry. Since 1974, Glenbrook South has donated over 300,000 pounds of food to Onward House. The non-perishable items generated by the high school’s food drive are used to prepare holiday food bags for nearly 40 area families. The rest of the food is used to stock our busy food pantry shelves.
Onward House was selected to take part in the 2009 CTA Holiday Food Train program and we will be receiving 15 holiday food baskets to donate to some of the low-income families in West Town and Belmont Cragin.
On December 11th, Gallup is generously inviting the School Age children at our Belmont Cragin site to their offices for a holiday party, complete with food and gifts.
On Dec 16th the Onward House Auxiliary Board is hosting the annual Holiday Party at West Town. A fun-filled evening of games, gifts donated by Marge Kovacz and the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, pizza and snacks is in store, complete with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Additional holiday supporters include Edgebrook Community Church, Glenn Westlake Middle School, WDRV - The Drive 97.1, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sylvia Studt, Mary Feldmeir and Glenview Community Church, Monster.com, and U.S. Foodservice.
How to get involved:
Would you like to help spread holiday goodwill this winter? There are many ways to get involved. Here are some ideas:
Happy holidays from Onward Neighborhood House!
Onward House Fall 2009 Newsletter
Onward House recently mailed our Fall 2009 newsletter. Inside you will find articles on our food pantry, Ukrainian families in the West Town community, the outstanding service of employee Gladys Malave and other stories.
If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, please sign up using the "Join Our Email List" feature on the top right of this page, or email Adam Talaski at atalaski@onwardhouse.org. You may also download a copy of the newsletter here.
Chase Community Giving
Help support Onward House by logging onto your Facebook page and voting in the Chase Community Giving program. Onward House is one of half a million charities competing for votes in this new JPMorgan Chase philanthropic endeavor. The top 100 organizations will earn $25,000 each and the chance to compete for additional support. Voting only takes a moment and you can vote for multiple organizations. Thank you for your support and spread the word!
While you're logged in, become a fan of the Onward Neighborhood House page!
15th Annual Senior Lifestyle Expo
Chicagoland's largest event targeted to active 60+ year old adults, the Senior Lifestyle Expo, will be held on Tuesday, August 24 and Wednesday, August 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Drury Lane Oak Brook. The 2010 Senior Lifestyle Expo will feature health and wellness information, seminars on finance and travel, entertainment, drawings and giveaways, and 120+ product and service exhibitors. Please contact Aixa Moratilla at 312/666-6726 if you are interested in attending. Click here to learn more about the Onward Neighborhood House Senior Club.
Second Annual Capital Campaign Golf Outing
Thanks to the unwavering support of Transparent Container and Neutral Tandem the second annual Onward House Golf Outing was a huge success. The event raised nearly $53,000 for our Capital Campaign in support of the our new Belmont Cragin location.
Thanks to all of the guests and donors that made this event possible and thank you to our sponsors:
This past year has been difficult for businesses and individuals alike. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us meet our event fundraising goal. We would also like to thank Ruffled Feathers Golf Club, Rian Wren, Jon Clopton and Surendra Saboo of Neutral Tandem and Dan Greiwe, Irene Rodriguez, Jim Durham, Jeff Lyman and Eric Clamp of Transparent Container.
We are already planning next year's event for September 16th, 2010. We hope you will join us!
Chicago Reads Day
Open Books and the City of Chicago recently co-sponsored Chicago Reads Day. Open Books volunteers visited six community centers around the city, including the Onward House Belmont Cragin site. Volunteers took time out of their days to travel to our agency and read to our early childhood students. Onward House emphasizes early literacy in all of our preschool classrooms and the Open Books volunteers offered a welcome opportunity for our students to engage with new faces and stories. Onward House would like to thank Open Books, the City of Chicago and all of the Chicago Reads Day volunteers.
Volunteers are an essential part of Onward House’s resource network. Whether brightening up a hallway with fresh paint or a classroom by reading aloud, there are numerous opportunities to get involved. Give Onward House a call to see how you can volunteer your time and talents!
Auxiliary Board Hosts 2nd Annual Summer Picnic
Onward House parents, children and staff recently braved the rain to celebrate the end of summer in the Smith Park field house. For the second year in a row, the Onward House Auxiliary Board planned a fun-filled evening of crafts, sports, games and a picnic dinner for the families at our West Town site.
Onward House would like to give special thanks to Meghan Regan for acquiring the donated food items and to the entire Auxiliary Board for hosting a fun family evening. The Onward House Auxiliary Board is made up of young Chicago professionals. If you would like more information on becoming a member of the Auxiliary Board, please contact Gemma Petrie at 312/666-6726.
Monster.com Lends a Helping Hand at West Town
The local offices of Monster.com took time out of their busy work schedules to visit our West Town site on August 20, where groups of volunteers painted and cleaned our 90 year old facility. They even brought toys and a stuffed logo “monster” for one of our classrooms.
We are grateful to Monster.com for their dedication to Chicago low-income families as demonstrated through their volunteer hours and the food they have donated to Onward House’s food pantry. By donating time and labor to Onward Neighborhood House, Monster.com saved the agency hundreds of dollars in necessary maintenance.
Volunteers are an essential part of Onward House’s resource network. Whether brightening up a hallway with fresh paint or a classroom by reading aloud, there are numerous opportunities to get involved. Give Onward House a call to see how you can volunteer your time and talents!
Capital Campaign Golf Outing: Save the Date!
Transparent Container and Neutral Tandem will sponsor the 2nd annual Onward House Charity Golf Tournament on September 17th, 2009!
We would like to thank all the sponsors and everyone who participated in support of Onward House's cause last year. Your contributions totaled over $58,000!
This year's event will take place at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club. The event will include a 4-person scramble, box lunch and awards ceremony following the golf.
Ruffled Feathers Golf Club
1 Pete Dye Drive
Lemont, IL 60439
11:30 a.m. Registration and Lunch
1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
Dinner and Awards to follow Golf
$250 per person, includes Lunch, Golf, Dinner and Silent Auction
$50 per person, Dinner, Auction
Register Now! Contact Irene Rodriguez at 708.236.1331 or via email at irodriguez@transparentcontainer.com
Puerto Rican Day Parade
Onward House staff, friends and supporters recently marched in the Chicago Puerto Rican Day Parade. The annual parade celebrates Puerto Rican culture with music, floats and folk dancers. Onward House marched in the early summer heat with banners made by children in our programs.
As one of Chicago's largest and oldest childcare providers, Onward House was proud to share in the fun of celebrating Chicago's Puerto Rican culture. Check out our slide show for more photos:
Golf Onward: Join us at the Human Concerns Charity Classic!
Onward House is honored to partner with Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst for the 2009 Human Concerns Charities’ Golf Classic. The event will be held on Friday, July 17th, 2009 at Maple Meadows Golf Course in Wood Dale, Illinois. The 1:00 pm Shotgun Start will be followed by an awards banquet at 6:00 pm. A $150 donation per person provides a round of golf with a cart, beverage coupons, a banquet dinner and a chance to win numerous prizes! All proceeds benefit Onward House and the Human Concerns Charities. Please contact Al Rago to register: (630) 930 - 8089. See you on the green!
Deloitte Volunteers make an “IMPACT” at West Town Facility
It couldn’t have been a more beautiful spring day for the 36 Deloitte volunteers who came to the Onward House West Town facility on June 5, 2009. The group performed much needed facility painting, cleaning and landscaping maintenance throughout the morning and part of the afternoon.
Onward House is thankful for the services provided by the Deloitte volunteers as they took time away from their downtown offices to lend a helping hand. This year Deloitte marked its 10th Annual IMPACT Day -- a one-day celebration of its year-round commitment to workplace volunteerism -- by contributing volunteer time to hundreds of nonprofits across the country. More than 40,000 Deloitte personnel from some 70 communities were able to participate in volunteering with agencies like Onward House.
Volunteers are an essential part of Onward House’s resource network. Whether brightening up a hallway with fresh paint or a classroom by reading aloud, there are numerous opportunities to get involved. Give Onward House a call to see how you can volunteer your time and talents!
Belmont Cragin: Celebrating a Year of Service
May 28, 2009 marked a full year since Onward House opened a second site in the Belmont Cragin community. The last year of service has allowed Onward House to provide educational and support services to hundreds of new children and families. The Onward House staff marked this historic anniversary with a staff appreciation party -- complete with dancing, massages and ice cream. As our service area and staff size has grown, our commitment to empowering those in need to acheive their full potential has remained unchanged. Onward House thanks all of our supporters and we look forward to serving both the West Town and Belmont Cragin communities for years to come!
Onward House Spring 2009 Newsletter
Onward House recently mailed our Spring 2009 newsletter. Inside you will find articles on our family support services, popular classes at our Community Computer Resource Center, volunteers from the American College of Healthcare Executives and other stories.
If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, please email Adam Talaski at atalaski@onwardhouse.org. You may also download a copy of the newsletter here.
Onward House to participate in 2nd Annual “Drive for Charity” Golf Scramble
What better way to enjoy a Saturday than with a round of golf? Onward House has been selected as the charity recipient for the 2nd Annual Drive for Charity Golf Scramble on Saturday June 6, 2009 at Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates. The cost for the event is $100 per player. Included with the fee is 18 holes of golf with a cart, food and drinks at the turn and after the event, complimentary range balls, and prizes. Interested parties can RSVP to Auxiliary Board member Nick Pirotte with the number of people in your group and a team name (email to npirotte@gmail.com). Individuals are also welcome to participate. Event proceeds will go to benefit Onward House programs. We hope to see you there!
Week of the Young Child
To celebrate the Week of the Young Child last week, Onward House hosted activities in West Town and Belmont Cragin to highlight health, literacy and physical activity. The health fair featured health care providers from myriad Chicago organizations offering information on topics such as nutrition, second-hand smoke, poison control, breast cancer, and free and low-cost health care. On Wednesday parents and children were invited to partcipate in a dance class followed by a parent workshop on childhood diseases.
In addition, parents were offered free 10 minute massages and invited to browse our book fair. The week culminated with a costume parade around the neighborhoods for the children and a carnival for children and parents with games and prizes. To learn more about the services Onward House provides to families, please visit our Family Support page.
Onward House Gala in Michigan Avenue Magazine
Onward House is thrilled to have a photo from the 2009 Night of Bright Futures gala included in the April 2009 issue of Michigan Avenue Magazine.
The photo appears on page 43 in the magazine's In The Loop section - A monthly photo spread highlighting Chicago philanthropic events.
Gala attendees Nate Zitelman, J.J. Simon, Alison Lautz and Shalini Hanoman are pictured. (We regret that Ms. Hanoman's name was mispelled in the magazine.)
Special thanks to Evan Petrie for donating his time and talent photographing the event for us.
One Cause: A New Way to Support Onward House!
OneCause funds Onward House by channeling your everyday purchases to well-known merchants and service providers, who contribute a percentage of every purchase back to Onward House. It's simple to participate:
-Go to the One Cause page for Onward House and register as a user.
-Select Onward Neighborhood House as your cause.
-View the merchants (and coupon offers!) and shop for your goods.
-Tell your friends to help us earn more support.
Thank you and please contact Gemma Petrie at (312) 666-6726 if you have any questions.
Support Onward House Through Avon!
Now you can purchase your favorite Avon Products and support Onward Neighborhood House! Here's how it works:
- Go to the Avon fundraising website: http://beautyfundraising.com
- Select the "Register a Fundraiser Customer" link in the upper
right
- Fill out the form and enter 620041 in the "fundraiser code" field.
- Complete registration and shop through the website
- When checking out, select Direct Delivery method, enter
the coupon code FSANY for free shipping and enter your payment
information
Your Avon products will be shipped directly to your door and 15% of the Total cost of merchandise will be donated to the Onward Neighborhood House!
Onward House Auxiliary Board Hosts 3rd Annual Gala for a Record Turnout
Rain, snow and a recession couldn’t stop over 300 people from attending the third annual “Night of Bright Futures” Gala on February 21, 2009. The event, hosted by the Auxiliary Board, raised $37,000 to sustain and improve the programs and services that Onward House provides to the greater West Town and Belmont Cragin communities. Since its inception, the annual fundraiser has raised over $136,000.
This year marked a change in venue that has generated enthusiasm and increased broader awareness of Onward House’s cause. The stunning Art Deco architecture of the landmark Carbide and Carbon building and rock-themed interior of The Hard Rock Hotel on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile provided a perfect combination of stripped-down elegance and modernity. In many ways, the decor provided a representation of the deep history and continual forward-thinking that has come to define Onward House.
Live jazz emanated throughout the second floor as people ate, mingled and were informed about Onward House through the various media displays. An assortment of food and cocktails were available throughout the main hall and silent auction rooms. Among the silent auction lots were original artwork, sporting event tickets and local excursions.
In light of the financial strains affecting businesses and individuals of every size and stature, Onward House is especially grateful this year for the contributions and commitments of our supporters. We would like to give a big thank you to the Onward House Auxiliary Board, Neutral Tandem, GTCR, FTI Consulting, Chapman & Cutler, Walton Street Capital, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mesirow Financial, ADP, U.S. Foodservice, Alice’s Garden/Studio AG, Hard Rock Hotel, AlphaGraphics, the Matt Young Group and everyone who volunteered, donated and attended. To view photos of the 2009 Gala, click here and here.
(In first photo: Katrina Lipe, John Tinnon and Wendy Tinnon.)
Onward House Families, Staff, Auxiliary Board Celebrate at the Annual Holiday Party
Christmas came to the Onward House-West Town location a little early this year as parents, staff and Auxiliary Board members celebrated the annual Holiday Party on December 17, 2008. Partygoers of all ages were treated to pizza, soda and an assortment of baked holiday treats.
The sounds of Christmas Carols and children’s singing were heard throughout the classrooms. Auxiliary Board members, teachers and parents engaged in variety of crafts and games with the children—to entertain them until Santa stopped by to offer good tidings and some early gifts.
Just as important to the event were the 11 “invisible Santas” who donated toys as part of the Onward House Holiday Gift Program. The donors, comprised of various groups and interests, purchased toys to give to each of the 425 children enrolled in Onward House’s West Town and Belmont Cragin locations and those enrolled with our Partnership Providers.
Whether it was baking cookies, playing games or buying toys to make sure a child has a gift under the Christmas tree this holiday season, this year’s Holiday Party would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Onward Community—our families, staff and supporters. Onward House would like to thank the Auxiliary Board, our teachers and everyone who bought gifts for our families this year. To view more photos of the event, click here.
Happy Holidays to All from Onward Neighborhood House!
High School Food Drive helps to keep Onward Families, West Town Residents Fed this Holiday Season
This year marks the 34th year that Glenbrook South High School has donated food to the Onward House Food Pantry. On November 25, 2008, three school busses loaded with non-perishable foods arrived at the Onward House West Town facility as part of the Holiday Food Bag Program.
By the time the first bus arrived in the late afternoon, 35 community volunteers and Onward House employees eagerly stood by to unload the foodstuffs. The volunteers worked together with vigor to unload all of the food in a short two hours time.
After unloading, foods were sorted and bags were prepared for distribution to the 83 Onward House families who use our services at the West Town and Belmont Cragin locations in addition to the volunteers involved. The surplus of food not distributed for Thanksgiving is redirected into inventory for general distribution in the Food Pantry and used for Christmas baskets for families enrolled at the two facilities.
Howard Romanek, a retired Glenbrook South teacher and long-time Board Member, recalls how far the food drive has come from its humble beginnings. "In December of '74, we said 'Let's have a food drive'" he remembers. "That first year, all of the food fit in two cars." Since then, net donations have increased exponentially over the years and it has been estimated that over 300,000 pounds of food have been donated to Onward House on behalf of Glenbrook South High School.
The current need for food donations is greater than ever. A report distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that consumers should expect food prices to rise 5 to 6 percent this year-the largest annual increase since 1990. Onward House has witnessed the effects of high food prices firsthand; the number of households using the Food Pantry has increased 22 percent and the number of individuals 21 percent. In light of these increases, the total poundage of food purchased from the Greater Chicago Food Depository increased by only 11 percent.
Onward House would like to thank the Glenbrook South High School for their generosity and continued commitment to advancing our mission. The efforts of supporters like Glenbrook South have allowed Onward House to purchase more food and match the rising proportion of those who use the Food Pantry. If you are interested in making a donation to the Onward House Food Pantry, please contact Gabrielle Fiege at gfiege@onwardhouse.org or (312) 666-6726.
Onward House Fall 2008 Newsletter
Onward House recently mailed our Fall 2008 newsletter. Inside you will find updates on the new Belmont Cragin center, news from the Executive Director, a feature article on the Glenview community, and other stories.
If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, please email Adam Talaski at atalaski@onwardhouse.org. You may also download a copy of the newsletter here.
Onward House shares informal evening with Auxiliary Board, Guests
Onward House would like to thank the Auxiliary Board and everyone who attended the November 19th bar fundraiser at Timothy O'Toole's Pub. The Onward House Auxiliary Board welcomes young professionals who are interested in supporting the mission and ideals of Onward Neighborhood House through community service and fundraising events. For more information, please visit our Auxiliary Board webpage
Onward House Happy Hour Benefit!
For more information, please contact Gemma Petrie at gpetrie@onwardhouse.org or (312)666-6726.
Belmont Cragin Grand Ribbon Cutting Event
Onward House parents, students and staff formally acknowledged those who were instrumental in working to make the opening of a second facility in Belmont Cragin a reality at the October 28th Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Among those in attendance were political and public officials, Onward House Board Members, contributors to the renovation project and long-time donors. Commemorative plaques and certificates of recognition were bestowed to Chicago City Clerk and Keynote Speaker Miguel del Valle, Commissioner Mary Ellen Caron of the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services, and 30th Ward Alderman Ariel Reboyras for their service and dedication to Onward House. Board member Mark Stenftenagel was recognized for donating the renovation desgin work through his company, Whitney Design. Bruce Sturgis of J.C. Anderson Inc. was recognized for overseeing the rennovation.
"It was a little selfish of me to get money for Onward Neighborhood House," admits Mr. del Valle during his keynote speech. "Belmont Cragin had no human services and infrastructure."
There was a strong feeling of optimism and an intuitive sense of accomplishment among those who attended the event. "This is an opportunity for growth and significant impact," says Mr. del Valle before adding words of caution, "We can never do enough. There is always one more thing we can do to make things better."
Pictured above (L-R): Onward House Executive Director Mario F. Garcia, Commissioner Mary Ellen Caron of the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services, Chiago City Clerk Miguel del Valle, Board of Directors Vice-President and Whitney CEO/Principal Mark Stenftenagel, and J.C. Anderson Vice President/Project Executive Bruce Sturgis.
Belmont Cragin Grand Ribbon Cutting Event
Grand Opening Celebration!
City Clerk Miguel del Valle, Keynote Speaker
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Onward Neighborhood House is proud to officially celebrate the recent opening of our new center in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago. We warmly invite you to share this momentous occasion with us. The celebration will include speakers, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and site tours. Light refreshments will be served.
Location: Onward Neighborhood House 5423 W. Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639 Phone: (773) 622-3215
To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact Gemma Petrie at gpetrie@onwardhouse.org or (312) 666-6726.
Inaugural Onward House Golf Outing an Un-Fore-gettable Event
Onward House could not have asked for a more perfect day for the September 24th Capital Campaign fundraiser hosted by Transparent Container Company and Neutral Tandem. Over 145 people attended the golf outing and dinner at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois. The unseasonably warm and sunny event helped raise over $58,000 for the new facility now open in Belmont Cragin.
Onward House would like to give special thanks to Board Members Dan Greiwe, Jon Clopton and Rian Wren; Transparent Container organizers Irene Rodriguez, Eric Clamp, Jim Durham, Doug Fischer; Transparent Container, Neutral Tandem and our other sponsors (see below); and everyone who showed up in support of Onward House's cause.
Photos from the event came be found on Thynk Lab and our Onward House's photo stream.
Auxiliary Board, Onward House End Summer with Picnic
Onward
House parents, children and employees had a blast at the End of Summer Picnic
hosted by the Onward
House Auxiliary Board. Over one hundred people from the Onward House
community gathered at Smith Park on August 27, 2008 to socialize, eat and
participate in crafts and games.
The picnic kicked off at 5:00 p.m. and lasted until dusk. Many Auxiliary Board members arrived early to help with set up and food preparations. As the teachers, children and parents gathered, there was no shortage of activities to choose from. 
Many children and their parents participated in face painting, bead jewelry, Wiffle ball, sack races, soccer and parachute games while others chose to just relax and enjoy the late summer afternoon.
Food was in abundance as well. Picnic-goers had their choices of hamburgers, hot dogs, summer salads and a smorgasbord of snacks.
Onward House would like to give special thanks to Meghan Regan for acquiring the donated food items and the Auxiliary Board for having the enthusiasm and desire to host the gathering. Like summer, we didn't want it to end.
Belmont Cragin Facility Gets New Sign
Traveling on west Diversey Avenue, one might notice something new about the front of Onward Neighborhood House's Belmont Cragin building. A bold and bright new sign identifies Onward House, completing the last phase of planning for the renovations of this former tile store.
To make Onward House better known in Belmont Cragin, a strong and visually appealing design was needed to truly catch the eyes of passersby. Erin McConnell, an architect from Whitney Design, composed the winning design for the front sign. The sign's wide, white lettering against a burnt-orange backdrop reflects the ambitions of both the agency as well as the families and individuals Onward House serves through the Early Childhood and School Age programs, the Family Support Services and the Community Computer Resource Center (CCRC).
Onward House Executive Director Mario Garcia commissioned Chicago artist Andrew Paczos to paint the new sign. Mr. Paczos first came into communication with Onward House two and a half years ago when he purchased the Onward House annex across the street and converted it into a studio and living space. A self-described "documentary painter" of Chicago's unoccupied industrial landscapes, Mr. Paczos has also created various commercial works that can be seen on water towers and inside institutions throughout the city.
Onward House would like to thank Ms. McConnell and Mr. Paczos for their time and efforts in visually communicating Onward House to the public. An exhibition of Andrew Paczos' urban industrial landscapes will be on display starting January 18, 2009 at the Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago). For more information on the event, call (773) 324-5520 or visit their website.
Onward House Summer Volunteers Head Off to College
Cheerios and fresh strawberries were the breakfast offerings. It was five minutes to nine o'clock and the last remaining parents who had not yet dropped their children off were trickling in. After the customary goodbye hugs and kisses from the mothers and fathers, the five year old children began to take their seats around the semi-circle table to help themselves to breakfast. Abruptly and somehow inevitably, a girl knocked over her Styrofoam bowl filled with Cheerios-not yet filled with milk-that sent hundreds of dry cereal bits onto the floor.
Reuben Delgado, an Onward House summer volunteer who within a week's time will have traded classroom sing-a-longs and nap time for lecture halls and cram sessions, patiently walks over to the broom and dustpan located just feet from where the mess occurred. His body language suggests that a meal mess clean up was to be expected. "We have very energetic kids in the class," he admits. "They can be a handful."
For the past seven and a half weeks, AmeriCorps volunteers have been seen throughout the classrooms and hallways of Onward Neighborhood House. Most of the volunteers spent their time with the preschool and school age children playing games, reading stories or participating in arts and crafts projects, though some helped with other work like preparing foods and washing dishes in the kitchen and providing clerical assistance for the coordinators and administrators. "We're a jack of all trades here" says Sara Biaza, a student in her second year at DePaul University.
The experience of working with a non profit organization also brings incentive. Under the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, volunteers who complete 300 service hours receive a one-time education award of $1,000 and a summer stipend to help cover living and traveling expenses. Despite this allure of college financial assistance, the volunteers' true desire was born out of a call to service rather than economics.
Volunteer Elizabeth Burba, an incoming freshman at DePaul University and recent graduate of Noble Street College Prep school, sees being a positive influence on the children as the best part of the experience. "We're not just disciplinarians," she says, "we're young enough where they can relate and hopefully we're someone that they can look up to and be a model for."
"I feel that I did something good this summer, something useful," says Lizbeth Meraz, a student going into her senior year at Noble Street College Prep high school.
With the summer now coming to a close, nearly all the volunteers were surprised at how much they learned about themselves, the children and the families they work with over the course of the past seven weeks.
"[Before volunteering at Onward House], I did not know how much need there is for help at community organizations or the real need for quality educators," says Biaza.
"I'm surprised how I was able to handle the kids," says Areli Delgado, an incoming freshman at Lewis University who plans to major in criminal justice. "I can see how hard it can be for a parent [to raise children and work], and I'm glad to assist."
Other volunteers like Ruben Delgado, a freshman at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and recent graduate of Holy Trinity High School, were amazed at how sophisticated and individualistic Onward House's children are. "The diversity is a plus," he explains when discussing his encounters with preschool children whose first languages range from English to Spanish and Ukrainian, "it's amazing to see the ways kids learn."
"Every day you're here [at Onward House], you learn [something new]," says Sergio Rocha, who will be starting his first year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor this fall. "I think I learn a lot more than the kids; they teach me."
Belmont Cragin Computer Center Hosts First Graduating Class
The Onward Neighborhood House Community Computer Resource Center (CCRC) hosted its first graduating class at its Belmont Cragin location on August 1, 2008. A record 24 graduates were in attendance, up from a 10 students average at the West Town facility.
In order to receive a certificate of completion, students were required to successfully pass the Computer Introduction and Touch Typing course and the Microsoft Office Suite course. By the end of the two sessions, students gained hands-on knowledge of computer components, keyboard typing competence, the ability to navigate the internet and e-mail accounts, and effectively use Microsoft Office programs like Word and Excel.
Among those who received a certificate were an eclectic mix of men and women of Honduran, Cuban, Puerto Rican and Mexican origins. Nearly all students lived within walking distance of Onward House's Belmont Cragin center, though one student had traveled seven miles each way from the northwest suburb of Schiller Park to attend classes.
The Onward House CCRC is the only technology center open in Belmont Cragin to offer free computer classes and computer access to the community. Daily computer classes run in the morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12: 35 p.m. and open access is available from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information regarding Onward House's Community Computer Resource Center and upcoming classes, contact Mauricio Blanco at (773) 622-3215 or mblanco@onwardhouse.org
Inaugural Onward House Golf Outing
Transparent
Container teams with Neutral
Tandem to cosponsor a charity golf outing at Ruffled
Feathers Golf Club!
This charitable golf outing is in support of Onward House's current capital campaign to raise money for the new, additional location focus in the Belmont-Cragin area of Chicago. Golf, food, prizes, silent and live auctions, raffle drawings and much more!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Ruffled Feathers Golf Club
1 Pete Dye Drive, Lemont, IL 60439
11:30 a.m. Registration and Lunch
1:30 p.m. Shotgun Start
6:00 p.m. Dinner and Silent Auction
$250 per person, includes lunch, golf, dinner and silent auction. $50 per person, dinner and silent auction only.
To register for the event, or if you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Irene Rodriguez at 708.236.1331 or via email at irodriguez@transparentcontainer.com
For more information, please visit the Transparent Container website.
School Age Senior Project
The Onward House school age program is conducting a community project to provide senior citizens with food and other basic provisions. A canned/non-perishable food and tolietries drive is currently underway. Donations can be dropped off at Onward House's West Town location by July 31, 2008. In August the children will deliver the items to Casa Central Nursing Home (1320 N. Kedzie).
Tolietries can include, but are not limited to: shampoo, paper products, deodorant, brushes, body wash, soap, toothbrushes, socks, and toothpaste.
Belmont Cragin: "We're Open!"
For the first time in the 115 year history of Onward Neighborhood House, a second facility is now open in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. Located at 5423 W. Diversey on Chicago's northwest side, the eagerly awaited facility addresses the needs of a rapidly growing community that continues to have a shortage of available social services. Onward House is helping to fill the void by providing residents with quality childcare and adult education that encourages individual and community development.
The Belmont Cragin neighborhood has undergone several demographic shifts over the past decade and a half. Comparative census figures from 1990 and 2000 show a population influx of over 21,000 individuals in Belmont Cragin and increases in the percentage of families and individuals living in poverty of 88 percent and 84 percent, respectively.
The new facility, like the original West Town location, offers childcare, after- school programming, adult education and community access to computer technology. Onward House will continue to emphasize their services from a holistic, outcome-based perspective that focuses on individual achievements as the means to widespread community improvement.
The 12,500 square foot Belmont Cragin facility contains a two-year old classroom, three early childhood education classrooms for children ages 3 to 5, and three additional rooms for children ages 5 to 12 enrolled in the after-school program. An 18-station computer resource center is available to adults to enhance language skills, improve technical development, and increase employability.
Onward Neighborhood House would like to thank our Board of Directors, Mark Stenftenagel and the very creative and supportive staff at Whitney Inc., J.C. Anderson Construction Co., Sidley Austin LLP, Burnham Nationwide, PricewaterhouseCoopers, City Clerk Miguel Del Valle, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services, Alderman Ariel Reboyras of the 30th ward, St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Alderman Ray Suarez of the 31st ward and all of the many contributors and volunteers who helped to make this dream a reality.
Annual Onward House Gala: Celebrating a Great Cause
The second annual Onward Neighborhood House Night of Bright Futures Gala was a huge success! Over 275 people joined us on March 1, 2008 to enjoy food, cocktails and live jazz. Auction items included original artwork, sporting event tickets and vacation getaways. The event helped us raise $55,000 to sustain and improve the programs and services that we provide to Chicago communities. We would like to give a big thank you to the Onward House Auxiliary Board, Neutral Tandem, GTCR, BMO, The Northern Trust, The Public Response Group, James and Corrine Mirabile, the Matt Young Group and everyone who volunteered, donated and attended. We're already looking forward to next year!
Click here for more pictures from the 2008 gala.
West Town Receives NAEYC Reaccredidation
The Onward Neighborhood House West Town facility received a five year reaccredidation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a national standard earned by less than 10 percent of early childhood education programs. NAEYC's newly restructured accreditation process uses a more rigorous set of standards and criteria that further establishes their certification as a gold standard in credibility, professionalism and program auditing.
Third Annual Chiditarod Donates Food
The third annual Chiditarod, Chicago's urban Iditarod, will take place on March 1st, 2008. Teams of five will compete (often in costume) through the Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village neighborhoods.
This event raises over 2,000 lbs. of food annually and the organizers have chosen Onward Neighborhood House's food pantry as one of this year's recipients. We are very grateful to everyone involved for their support of Onward House and the individuals we serve in the Ukrainian Village community. Those interested in signing up for this fun event are encouraged to so on the Chiditarod website. (Though note that the date is unfortunately the same as our Night of Bright Futures Gala!)
'Tis the Season...
Onward House held its annual family holiday party on December 19th at the West Town facility. In attendance were Onward House children, families, staff and members of the Auxiliary Board. The Auxiliary Board, now in its second year, volunteered their time and resources to become a central part of the planning and implementation process. Their efforts, combined with those of the staff helped to make the holiday party a huge success.
"It was a perfect occasion for the members of the Auxiliary Board to really be a part of what Onward does every single day," said Auxiliary Board President Annalisa Graham. "I am thankful that we were given the opportunity to be involved in the party and can't wait to do it again next year."
Among the festivities were food, games, arts and crafts, sing-a-longs and story time. Board members split up in various classrooms to participate in activities with the children. (Someone even managed to pull a few strings and have Santa and Mrs. Claus make a special, early trip from the North Pole).
"The holiday party really encapsulated the true meaning of the season for many of the Board members," added Auxiliary Board Vice President Shalini Hanoman, who helped organize the event. "[It] opened our eyes to the amazing things that are going on at the house."
As the evening came to a close, gifts were distributed to the children. Onward House is incredibly grateful to the generous individuals, congregations and organizations who donated their time and money to purchase gifts for the Adopt-A-Family program. From start to finish, cheer and goodwill were abundant as the Onward House community celebrated together.
Onward House would like to thank PricewaterhouseCoopers, Glenview Community Church, Glenn Westlake Middle School, the Onward House Auxiliary Board and all the individuals who took part in making this holiday season a success. The kindness and charity of our donors and volunteers helps to improve the lives of local families and children.
A Light at the End of the Tunnel for New Facility Construction
After almost two and a half years, tens of thousands of laborious hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital, the Onward Neighborhood House is anxiously awaiting the opening of its second facility at 5423 W. Diversey in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood.
The new 12,500 square foot facility will house spacious and modern amenities. Once completed, the facility will offer the growing Latino and previously settled immigrant and native-born populations programs ranging from early childcare to adult computer courses.
Urban gentrification, combined with a multitude of various social forces, has prompted a shift in demographics throughout numerous parts of the city. A recent Chapin Hall study estimates that the West Town community experienced a decline in 10,000 children between 1990 and 2005. Consequently, communities such as Belmont Cragin saw some of the largest increases in youth and children during the same period. Figures from the study indicate a surge in Belmont Cragin's youth population exceeding 10,000. (Source: Chicago Children and Youth 1990-2010: Changing Population Trends and Their Implications for Services, Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago)
Onward House has felt the population shifts first-hand at the West Town facility. Despite the modest annual decreases in program enrollment numbers at West Town, concerns of obsolescence have been put on hold; Onward House has begun to witness yet another cycle of immigration in the neighborhood with the increased enrollment of Ukrainian children.
Onward House has been empowering families and strengthening the neighborhood since its founding in 1893 and will continue to serve the West Town community as long as there is a need. The decision to expand services into Belmont Cragin in light of the increasing numbers of children lacking community resources is a logical next step in Onward House's long commitment to community support.
Garden Dedication Honors the Life and Legacy of Late Auxilary Board President
Onward House hosted a garden memorial dedication on Saturday, September 22 for Cory Jay Schuster, the late Auxiliary Board President and Northern Trust Company Second Vice-President, who tragically lost his life last March. The event started around 10:30 a.m. on a serene late summer morning in front of the newly planted perennial garden on the south end of the West Town facility. Members of Onward House staff, several board members, members of the Schuster family and former colleagues and friends gathered to hear words of remembrance and honor the life of a remarkable individual who touched many and helped more.
Among those speaking at the event where Travis Krueger, Onward House Board of Directors member and Treasurer; Mario F. García, Onward House Executive Director; Ms. Krissy Greiwe, Cory's aunt and long time Onward House supporter; Brandon Rolek, Cory's friend and fellow Northern Trust employee; and Mary Feldmeir, Onward House Steering Committee member and architect of the Memorial Garden. A moment of silence and subsequent acknowledgements were led by Travis Krueger and fellow colleague and Auxiliary Board Member Mark Pridgeon.
Following the dedication, everyone was invited to light refreshments and participate in sharing stories to celebrate Cory's life. Among the clusters of conversation, one could see smiles and hear laughter as people took turns telling anecdotes of times that they shared with Cory into the early afternoon.
Go Chicago Fire!
July 12, 2007 was an exciting day for Onward House children, families and staff. Onward House Executive Director Mario García received a phone call in late June from Auxiliary Board Member J.J. Simon, who was offering tickets to a Chicago Fire soccer game. Mario did not hesitate to accept. With the cooperation of Mr. Simon and the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire soccer team, 100 tickets to the Chicago Fire vs. the Houston Dynamo were donated to Onward House. Many of Onward House's children have a great interest in soccer and the opportunity to see a live, professional soccer game was exhilarating. Due to the normally prohibitive costs of professional sporting events, this was a rare opportunity for many to attend. The enthusiasm from both parents and children was apparent and best summed up by one School Age child who was overheard saying "This was the best field trip ever!"
"Reaching New Heights" Gala Lives Up to Name
On Friday, June 15 2007, Onward Neighborhood House held its "Reaching New Heights" Gala for the Capital Campaign at the Adler Planetarium. The black tie optional event hosted by Transparent Container Company drew upwards of two hundred guests and helped raise close to $100,000. All event proceeds will go toward Onward House's new expansion site set to open in early November 2007 in Chicago's Belmont Cragin neighborhood. The festivities included live and silent auctions, live entertainment, and gourmet cuisine. Onward House is grateful to all of the sponsors and attendees who made such a wonderful event possible.